This morning I brought my dog Bailey to work. As I was talking on the phone while she scampered around, she went out on the “frozen” pond. Moments later, I heard a crash and looked up and saw that she had fallen in. For a moment, she struggled to get out of the water back onto the ice but then slipped and fell further and got stuck under the ice.

Without thinking (and now I understand better how people end up getting themselves killed when this happens on lakes), I jumped into the pond, dragged her out and carried her out out.

You can see in the photo above where I took a few steps onto the pond (left side), made the jump to break through and where Bailey had initially fallen (bottom most part of the broken ice). You can then see where she had gotten trapped under the ice (middle) and the pathway we cut through getting out (to the top).

Definitely the coldest I’ve ever been. Thankfully my coworkers drove back to my house and got me a new set of clothes since I was drenched up to my neck in smelly, frozen pond clothes.

Bailey was none the worst for wear and was (seriously) ready to go back out on the ice. Crazy puppy.

Yea, you hear about someone going into a lake to get their dog and dying in the process and you think "Good god man, what were you thinking?" and now I know. They're not. I didn't even put enough thought into just taking off my coat or putting my phone on the ground before I jumped in.

Jeez, that's scary! (Okay, Polistes already said that.) The thing is, when someone you know (sort of) does something like that; that's the first time it seems like something that really could happen. So ... don't do that sort of thing any more! ... please ...

About the closest I have come to that was to do my 'Race Official' thing and stand in the middle of a road to prevent traffic from maybe running over my cat that had decided wanted to wander across the road....

About the closest I have come to that was to do my 'Race Official' thing and stand in the middle of a road to prevent traffic from maybe running over my cat that had decided wanted to wander across the road....

I don't know if I'd say it was brave. I think bravery would involve decision making. I simply reacted. My dog was going to die if I didn't do anything. Not to mention, I don't think I was ever in any danger.